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Wisconsin Solar Calculator

Enter your utility and monthly bill — get system size, Focus on Energy rebate, net metering savings, property tax exemption, and 25-year savings for your Wisconsin home.

Your Wisconsin solar inputs
$
kW
Wisconsin solar estimate
20 × 400W panels (8 kW system)
Recommended size for your bill: 10.5 kW
Monthly usage1,000 kWh/mo
Annual production (WI 4.0 PSH)9,344 kWh/yr
Annual savings (net metering)$1,495/yr
Gross system cost$24,640
Federal ITC (30%)-$7,392
Net cost after incentives$17,248
Property tax exemption (est.)$7,392
Payback period11.5 yrs
25-year savings$37,376
Wisconsin net metering policies vary by utility — most offer retail-rate credit for exported solar. Confirm net metering terms with your specific utility before installation. Focus on Energy rebate availability is subject to program funding — apply through your installer.
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How to Use This Calculator

Enter your bill and select your Wisconsin utility

Wisconsin has four major electric utilities: We Energies (Milwaukee and southeast WI, $0.16/kWh), Madison Gas & Electric (Madison, $0.15/kWh), Alliant Energy (central/western WI, $0.14/kWh), and WPS — Wisconsin Public Service (northeast WI, $0.13/kWh). Select your utility to use the correct rate. Milwaukee's high $0.16/kWh rate makes it one of the best solar economics in the Midwest despite the state's lower sun hours.

Toggle Focus on Energy rebate

Focus on Energy is Wisconsin's statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy rebate program. It offers $500 for standard solar installations and up to $1,000 for income-qualified households. Programs are subject to available funding — apply through your installer early in the project. The rebate is separate from and stackable with the 30% federal ITC.

Wisconsin net metering and property tax exemption

Most Wisconsin utilities offer retail-rate net metering — exported solar is credited at the same rate you pay for electricity. Wisconsin PSC (Public Service Commission) oversees net metering rules, and policies can vary by utility size. Wisconsin also provides a 100% property tax exemption on the added value of residential solar systems.

The Formula

Monthly kWh = Monthly Bill ÷ Electricity Rate Annual Production = System kW × 1000 × 4.0 PSH × 365 × 0.80 efficiency ÷ 1000 Self-consumed kWh = Annual Production × 0.65 Exported kWh = Annual Production − Self-consumed kWh Annual Savings = (Self-consumed + Exported) × Retail Rate (WI net metering) Gross Cost = System kW × 1000 × $3.08/W + Battery ($12,000 if added) ITC Credit = Gross Cost × 30% Focus on Energy Rebate = $500 (standard) or $1,000 (income-qualified) Net Cost = Gross Cost − ITC Credit − Focus Rebate Payback = Net Cost ÷ Annual Savings

Wisconsin averages 4.0 peak sun hours statewide. Milwaukee gets ~4.1 PSH, Madison 4.0, and Green Bay 3.9. The $3.08/W installation cost is slightly higher than Sun Belt states due to Wisconsin's smaller solar market. Higher electricity rates (especially We Energies at $0.16/kWh) partially offset the lower PSH. Wisconsin's property tax average of ~1.5% makes the property tax exemption particularly valuable — worth $750+ per year on a $25,000 system.

Example

Karen — Milwaukee We Energies customer with Focus rebate

Karen is in Milwaukee on We Energies paying $160/month at $0.16/kWh. She wants an 8 kW system and plans to apply for the Focus on Energy rebate.

Monthly bill$160 (We Energies, $0.16/kWh)
System8 kW, no battery
LocationMilwaukee, WI (4.1 PSH)

Result

Annual production~9,382 kWh/yr
Annual savings (net metering)~$1,501/yr
Gross system cost~$24,640
Federal ITC (30%)-$7,392
Focus on Energy rebate-$500
Net cost after incentives~$16,748
Payback period~11.2 years
25-year savings~$37,525

Milwaukee's high $0.16/kWh rate means Karen's solar generates strong savings despite Wisconsin's moderate sun resource. With retail-rate net metering, all her production — self-consumed and exported — is credited at full rate. The We Energies territory has some of the best solar payback in the Midwest. Her property tax exemption adds another ~$7,400 in non-cash value over 20 years (1.5% × $24,640 system × 20yr).

FAQ

Focus on Energy is Wisconsin's statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy program, funded by ratepayers and administered by the state. For solar, it offers $500 for standard installations and $1,000 for income-qualified households (typically 80% of area median income or below). Apply through your solar installer — they submit the application on your behalf. Program funding is limited and rebates may be unavailable if the program runs out of funds before year-end. Apply early in your project. The rebate stacks with the 30% federal ITC and is available regardless of which utility serves you, as long as you're in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin's net metering is governed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) but policies can vary by utility. Most utilities — including We Energies, Madison Gas & Electric, Alliant Energy, and WPS — offer retail-rate net metering, meaning your exported solar is credited at the same rate you pay for electricity. Credits typically roll over month-to-month but may expire annually (you receive a check or credit for remaining balance). Net metering rules for small utilities and co-ops may differ — confirm with your specific utility. Wisconsin's net metering has been more stable than Indiana or Utah, but utilities periodically petition the PSC for changes.
Wisconsin does not have a standalone state solar tax credit. However, Wisconsin offers a homestead credit and various energy-related deductions for some taxpayers. The primary Wisconsin incentives for solar are: (1) 100% property tax exemption on added home value from solar; (2) Focus on Energy rebate ($500-$1,000); and (3) some municipal utilities offer additional rebates. The 30% federal ITC applies to all Wisconsin residents. Wisconsin's property tax rate of ~1.5% makes the property tax exemption one of the more valuable state-level benefits.
Yes — especially for We Energies and Madison Gas & Electric customers. Wisconsin's 4.0 PSH is lower than southern states, but higher electricity rates compensate significantly. At $0.16/kWh (We Energies), the savings per kWh are higher than Arizona at $0.12/kWh. Solar works fine in cold climates — panels actually produce slightly more power in cold temperatures due to reduced heat-related losses. Snow occasionally covers panels but Wisconsin's freeze-thaw cycles usually clear panels quickly. South-facing roofs with 30-35 degree pitch are ideal for Wisconsin's latitude. Wisconsin's 11-12 year payback for Milwaukee customers is competitive with most Midwest states.
Wisconsin provides a 100% property tax exemption for the value added to a home by a solar energy system. When your property is assessed for property taxes, the solar system's value is excluded. Wisconsin's average effective property tax rate is approximately 1.5-1.7% of assessed value — among the higher rates in the Midwest. On a $25,000 solar system, this exemption saves approximately $375-425 per year in property taxes, adding up to $7,500-8,500 over 20 years. This is a significant non-cash benefit in addition to the direct electricity savings shown in the calculator.

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